Kindly introduce yourself
My name is Gemma Hatton and I am currently the new Deputy Editor of Racecar Engineering Magazine. I have studied two degrees, a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from Bath University and a MSc in Advanced Motorsport Engineering from Cranfield University. As well as being part of Team Bath Racing Formula Student Team, I have worked in GT and BTCC Championships. After University I worked as a Trackside Formula 1 Tyre Engineer for Pirelli and then moved to Manor Racing where I was a Tyre and Strategy Engineer. So I not only appreciate the challenges of engineering, but also the challenges of taking part in Formula Student!
What were your impressions from Learn to Win?
I really enjoyed the enthusiasm from the teams who attended the Media sessions. They were keen to learn about how to maximise their media presence which sparked some interesting discussions. I also liked the fact that everyone got involved within these conversations to try and solve the problems, issues and topics raised by others.
The professionalism of the teams was also nice to see, with everyone in smart, branded shirts, which highlights how seriously they are taking the Formula Student competition.
Why did you take part in Formula Student? What did you learn?
Formula Student presents the perfect opportunity for aspiring engineers to work as a team to design, develop and build a complex and efficient racecar. For me, it was my first experience of being in a ‘Motorsport team’ and taught me the invaluable lessons of dedication, motivation and resilience – all of which are essential for surviving within a professional race team.
How has Formula Student shaped your career?
I thoroughly enjoyed being part of Team Bath Racing, therefore I knew I definitely wanted to be part of a race team, and work trackside. Discovering this through Formula Student helped to motivate me to volunteer as a Data Engineer for BTCC which turned out to be a fantastic experience, and helped me secure my position at Pirelli.
I was also involved in the Media and sponsorship side of things, which has definitely helped me in my current role at Racecar Engineering Magazine.
What advice do you have for teams?
Put simply: give it your all. Every minute you spend taking part in Formula Student will not only develop obvious skills such as engineering and teamwork, but also your motivation and dedication for Motorsport. It can help you identify the areas of the car or team which you are most interested in and therefore help to shape your career strategy. You also make some lifelong friends throughout the process, and maintaining these connections within the small world that is Motorsport can prove crucial when applying for jobs. Finally; it’s good fun!
What are your top tips for teams to improve their marketing plans this year?
1) Use Google, Twitter and Facebook Analytics to establish which times/days give you the most impressions/engagement for your posts
2) When using social media use photos, gifs and videos to make your posts stand out on people’s timelines
3) Do not respond to negative criticism – (this is something I have recently learnt). People will always have opinions and they may not agree or like your posts. Do not take this personally and do not respond or delete their comments – either action could spur even more criticism and they are simply not worth your time
4) Be clever with your media. Anyone can take a picture of a car, so overlay some CFD streamlines, get some shots with flow viz from track testing
5) Don’t become a Formula 1 team. Show, tell and write about your technology. Be proud of your team’s designs as this not only provides great content for your website and social media, but ultimately showcasing you skills which could help you secure a job.
How can they get involved with Racecar Engineering Magazine?
We are always looking for interesting technical content, especially as we start developing the Formula Student section of our website. So any innovation, development or topic that you want to talk about, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll see if we can feature your team on our website and increase your Media exposure.
What are the best ways to stay in touch with Racecar Engineering Magazine?
Email me at gemma.hatton@chelseamagazines.com
Alternatively contact us on our social media channels below:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RacecarEngineer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RacecarEngineering/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18280026/
Thanks to Gemma for the interview and the amazing photos from her career!